Global Health

Sickle Cell Birth Prevalence Study in Tanzania

Luke Eastburg (Class of 2020) and Andy Peckham (Class of 2019) conducted sickle cell disease birth prevalence study at a district hospital in northwest Tanzania. Both were afforded two months of dedicated time as part of the global health track. Using a new point of care test, they screened 1,000 newborns.

The results of sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait were the highest ever recorded in Tanzania and among the highest ever recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa. Their study was published in Pediatric Blood & Cancer and presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference. Luke and Andy were mentored by Luke Smart (University of Rochester Med-Peds Class of 2012).